The best tools for making pumpkin pie
Few things scream fall like the taste of fresh pumpkin pie. With its signature orange glow and warming combination of spices, this pie deftly walks the line between savory and sweet in the same way summer crosses into autumn. Making the perfect pumpkin pie is easy to master, but there are a few critical tools that make the process simpler and virtually guarantee your success.
Steps for making the perfect pumpkin pie
Make the crust
Crust is arguably the most important part of the pie. Without a flaky, buttery base, all you’d have is custard. While this is not a terrible thing, a crust really makes the pie something special. Keep in mind:
- A combination of butter and shortening produces the flakiest crust.
- Ingredients should be very cold.
- Handle the crust as little as possible.
- Chill the crust before rolling it out.
- Parbake — which means bake the crust before filling it — to ensure it’s crispy.
Mix the filling
Everyone has their own family recipe for pumpkin pie, but the basic ingredients are the same. They include:
- Pumpkin puree
- Milk, cream or condensed milk
- Spices
- Egg
There are vegan options for filling that can be made to satisfy this dietary restriction. These use egg substitutes and non-dairy milks. When making these types of pies, it’s important to follow the baking instructions exactly. This helps the filling set up properly.
Bake the pie
The best pie pans hold heat evenly for a golden brown glow. If you have parbaked your pie crust, you’ll just need to ensure the filling is fully cooked. Pies should be baked until there is a slight wobble in the center. The baking time for pumpkin pie is fairly long, so if the crust edge begins to burn at the edges, cover it with aluminum foil.
Cool and enjoy
Let your pie cool before serving. It’s OK if it’s slightly warm, but too warm and it won’t set properly. You can also cool the pie completely to set it and then warm it before serving. Let it rest on the counter for 10 to 20 minutes, and then move it to the fridge to set completely.
When you’re ready to serve, pop individual slices in the microwave, or warm the entire pie in a low-heat oven.
Fresh vs. canned pumpkin
A debate rages on about which is better, fresh or canned pumpkin.
- Fresh: Fresh pumpkin has no added preservatives or flavor. It’s best for savory dishes, but it requires additional steps for preparation.
- Canned: Canned pumpkin is more convenient and velvety smooth. It’s the preferred option for desserts when the texture needs to be like silk.
Everything you need to make pumpkin pie
KitchenAid Classic Measuring Cups
These sturdy plastic cups come in 1-cup, half-cup, third-cup and quarter-cup sizes. They are available in a variety of colors. The plastic is free from harmful chemicals, and the rubber-tipped handles make for a firm grip. They are connected with a plastic ring.
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Farberware Color Measuring Spoons
Linked by a sturdy plastic ring, these colorful plastic measuring spoons come in 1-tablespoon, half-tablespoon, 1-teaspoon, half-teaspoon and quarter-teaspoon measures. They have clear, easy-to-read numbers and are dishwasher-safe.
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Spring Chef Professional Pastry Cutter
The handle is thick rubber for a firm grip and stainless blades for easily cutting through frozen butter and stiff dough. Professional chefs prefer the large size, but it’s available in a smaller size. Choose from handles in seven colors.
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Old Dutch Solid Copper Stone Hammered Bowls
These gloriously luxe hammered copper bowls bring a touch of elegance to your baking. The bottom is flat for stability, and the copper material works for beating perfect whipped cream and egg whites.
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Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin
This pin is made of sturdy beechwood. It comes with colorful removable rings that indicate the thickness of the dough you’re rolling. Measurements on the pin indicate the size of the dough you’re rolling, too.
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Ateco Stainless Steel Bench Scraper
The scraper has measurements on the blade that are clear and easy to read. The handle is either molded as part of the scraper or firmly attached to pick up thick, heavy doughs — choose from a steel, plastic or wooden handle.
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Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Pie Plate
This set of two pie plates are fluted for a beautifully decorative crust. The sturdy tempered glass lets you see when your crust is golden brown. They are dishwasher-, freezer- and microwave-safe and come with a two-year limited warranty.
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KitchenCraft Tub of Ceramic Baking Beans
Use the ceramic baking beans for parbaking crust. Line your unbaked pie crust with parchment paper and add the entire tub of beans to prevent crust bubbles and evenly bake the crust. These come with a 12-month warranty.
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Reynolds is a trusted brand for kitchen tools. This 200-square-foot roll of foil is 12 inches wide and tears easily for use. It’s also available as recycled foil.
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All-Clad Cook and Serve Stainless Steel Pie Server
It’s made of beautifully polished stainless steel for an elegant and durable finish. The handle is ergonomic and comfortable to hold. It’s 10 inches long and easily serves pies of the same size. The solid edges can also be used to slice pie, and it’s dishwasher-safe.
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Silpat Half-Size Nonstick Baking Mat
This is a set of two dishwasher-safe mats. Each measures 11.6 inches by 16.5 inches and fits a half-sheet pan. The surface is nonstick and perfect for rolling out pie crust, and the fiberglass core is coated with silicone.
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iboodi Cream White Porcelain Dessert Plates
Let your pie be the star of the show with these simple white porcelain plates. Each measures 6.5 inches. This set of six is safe in the microwave, freezer and dishwasher.
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